Yateley United 0 Shortwood 2 – FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
By Jim Cunneen
Shortwood progressed in the FA Vase with a comfortable 2-0 win at Yateley.
Dan Gillespie’s in-form side now face Hellenic Premier outfit Longlevens at Meadowbank in the next round.
Yateley were making their debut in the competition and play in the Combined Counties Division One.
Essa Sabally was outstanding, not only at the back but coming forward.
With thunder rumbling around Yately’s excellent ground, the first part of the game was even but Wood could have taken the lead after 11 minutes but Alex Gayner shot into the side netting.
Captain Joe Tryner was inches wide with a header from a Finlay Byrnes free- kick and Keegan Bowes went close.
Wood forced a succession of corners before Wood took the lead after 31 minutes. Sabally found space down the flank, crossed and Molyneux headed home.
GAFFER TAPES – Dan Gillespie
“It was a superb day for the club all round.
“Going to Yateley was never going to be an easy task, they’re an ambitious club, who won every game in their league last season and it was set to be an historic day for them playing their first game in the Fa Vase.
“So to inflict their first home defeat on their ground showed how good the performance was.
“We didn’t start particularly well, it was the only spell of the game where we didn’t get going for the first 15 minutes but after that we were the only team who created any chances. Essa Sabally was magnificent at right back, both defensively winning his duals, but also offer real quality going forward.”
Mace had a header cleared off the line and Dan Gayner shot too close to keeper Giles before Wood doubled their lead just before the break. Bowes played Martin Smith in with a delightful curling through ball and Smith wasted no time burying the ball into the net from 20 yards.
With Wood comfortably in the lead, the second half was largely played in midfield and Wood were rarely threatened with Tryner marshalling his troops well.
Smith had a shot blocked and Byrnes had a 25 yarder tipped over.
In the closing stages, Yateley enjoyed a lot of possession but in the dying moments Wood had a chance to seal the win. Wright forcing keeper Giles into a fine save.
Shortwood: Thomas, Sabally, Royer, Byrnes, Tryner, Mace K, Molyneux, Bowes (Price 70), Dan Gayner (Wright 88), Smith, Gayner A (Sluman 61)
Shortwood welcome rivals Stonehouse Town to Meadowbank today, Bank Holiday Monday, 3pm.
